Continents and oceans
Build a global map framework for later study of countries, climates, history, and trade.
A global framework#
A widely taught model identifies Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia/Oceania as seven continents. Other educational traditions combine or label some landmasses differently, so the model should be stated.
The five named oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. They are connected parts of one global ocean.
Relative positions#
The Atlantic lies between the Americas and Europe/Africa. The Pacific lies between the Americas and Asia/Oceania. The Indian Ocean is bounded mainly by Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southern Ocean.
Boundaries and conventions#
Europe and Asia form one continuous landmass, Eurasia, but are commonly treated as separate continents for historical and cultural reasons. The boundary follows conventional features rather than an ocean.
Common mistakes#
Oceania is a broad regional term that includes many Pacific islands and Australia; definitions vary. Antarctica is a continent, while the Arctic is primarily an ocean surrounded by land.
Study method#
Use a blank map to label continents and oceans, then add the equator, prime meridian, hemispheres, and major surrounding seas.
Key points
- A common model recognizes seven continents and five named oceans.
- Continental boundaries combine geography, history, and convention.
- The Pacific is the largest ocean and separates Asia and Oceania from the Americas.
- Oceans form one connected global body of salt water.